A/N: Hey guys! Blue here! Another week, another chapter. Thank you for all of your reviews, I read them all and really appreciate them. You all rock. And wowie! Only two chapters and 64 followers, daaaaaaang! Thank you so much. Well I hope you like this chapter! Let me know what you think of it. Enjoy the Roses!

Chapter 3: Best Intentions

"No, you dunce! You've made the same careless mistake three times!" Weiss scolded in their study hall. She kept her voice down so she wouldn't disturb anyone's studies. Though, taking a look around the room, it was clear that no one was using their study hall for actual studying. In the corner, a couple kids were playing a card game. It was that vile game, Cards Against Remnant. Honestly, she didn't expect to find such vulgar discussions as a prestigious school such at this one.

Another group was simply chatting. One boy had his feet up on the desk in a carefree manner. Did no one appreciate the time and effort that was put into cleaning this school? And chatting? When they could be catching up on their studies?

This is why Weiss was at the top of the class and why mister I-don't-care-if-I-track-mud-everywhere-including-the-table-where-people-eat was most likely at the bottom.

"Gah! You're right, I'm sorry!" Ruby exclaimed, taking the paper back and scrubbing her eraser over her incorrect solution. Weiss normally didn't condone the use of pencils in math, but she made an exception in this case. Because they would be wasting a lot of paper otherwise.

"'Sorry' won't get the right answer!" She continued. It was much easier to chide the girl today. She wasn't sure what was going on in her mind yesterday, but now that that was clear, she could set boundaries.

Ruby was the pupil, Weiss was the tutor. That is all they were, that is all they would ever be. And once Ruby was caught up with her studies, she wouldn't be anything to her. Just another person she knew. She had no doubt that someone with Ruby's personality would find new friends. She would be just fine.

Not that she particularly cared... of course.

"I'm tryyyyinggg." Ruby groaned, slowly flopping her arms and her head over her work.

"Oh please, don't be so dramatic." Weiss said. "You aren't that far off. You just keep falling or the same issue."

Turning her head to the side, Ruby smirked at Weiss. She lifted her self back up and cocked an eyebrow at her tutor.

"You seem different today."

"Do I?"

"Yeah, there's something different."

Once again, the girl had shown her perceptive skills to the heiress. Yet, this time, she wasn't too surprised. Weiss started out calm and indifferent (as she had been treating Ruby thus far), but she soon became frustrated with the girl. How did she not grasp these simple solutions? It was so easy!

So yes, she was agitated.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh I know! You're sassier." Ruby told her, snapping her fingers.

"S-sassy?"

"Yeah! And you're more loose, you seem more... You."

"I am always me."

"No you're not."

"Excuse me? I am and have always been Weiss Schnee, Ruby Rose." She spat back, venom dripping when she uttered her name.

"Then just be Weiss." Ruby suggested, again, right on the money. Weiss opened her mouth a couple times, but her brain had not worked out what to say.

"D-don't talk to me like we're so close. You've only known me for a couple days."

"Yeah! And in those couple days, you've always been kind of cold and stiff. Like... You're holding back?" Ruby said. She said it so simply, but again her words cut deeper. She saw through Weiss as if she was a block of ice. No, as if she were made of the clearest water.

How did she do that?

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to assume things." The redhead said, trying to backtrack. "I just like to help people like you."

"What kind of people?"

"The sad and lonely?"

Weiss stared at her, wishing she could refute her statement immediately. She, however, needed a moment to process her statement. Sad and lonely. Nail? Your head has been hit.

"I'm not sad o-or lonely, Ruby Rose. But you will be if you d-don't start that problem over! Because I'll leave, right back to Headmaster Ironwood.

Ruby chuckled. The heiress really thought she was immune to the girl's laugh this time.

Apparently not.

Her silver eyes make contact with Weiss' icy ones and she smiled. A very warm, gentle smile. But to Weiss, it was the calm before the storm. Because she knew, she knew, that the younger girl would say something. She would say something that would baffle the heiress. Something that would throw the ice queen off of her game.

"I like sassy Weiss."

XxXxX

"Bye!" Ruby said, walking away from her charge. Part of her wanted to ask if they could walk home together, but she didn't want to push the bounds. Maybe yesterday she had a shot, but today she significantly lowered her angelic charm, just as Yang had suggested.

"Great job today, Ruby! Keep it up." A voice congratulated. She smiled and nodded her head. A lengthy conversation wasn't necessary. This case would be a long stretch, there was no need to discuss progress every single day.

She was thankful for that. Ruby had only been assigned to a charge who was fated to die once, and she had to let them know what happened with every encounter. It was an honest grind and she didn't know how Yang did it. It wasn't her specialty, but she had successfully helped people in those cases a couple times. How did she not let it get to her?

Anyways, this was not such a mission. Weiss was in a bad place, but was not due to leave this earth for a long time (they hoped, fate was a bit finicky). This would be her toughest case yet though. The girl was so resistant to change, so sad. Maybe she pushed it a bit too much by pointing that out, but she had a feeling the girl appreciated honesty over anything.

It made sense considering her friend. Blake Belladonna, Ruby read up on her before taking this case. She was witty and sarcastic, seemed to fit Weiss' personality (now that she saw a little bit more of the real Weiss today). She was confident and independent, but a bit of an introvert.

And a huge positive influence on Weiss' life.

Conclusion? She needed to get her back to help the ivory-haired loner.

That was step one of her plan. Weiss had no support system right now. Her father was cold and abusive, her mother would go on drinking binges, her brother just kept to himself and her sister had moved away. That only left her butler, but he was often busy with maintaining the household.

Ruby felt bad for the girl. The redhead had grown up with nothing, but at least she had Yang. Weiss had everything, but no one.

So Blake was important. Very important.

Which is why Ruby was heading over to her house.

One of her favorite parts about being an angel (besides flying suuuuuper fast) was being able to turn invisible. Yang may like 'working in the field' but Ruby would much rather be that invisible hand that saves folk.

This time, it would help her get more information on Blake and her relationship with Weiss. Maybe a way to repair the damage.

The silver-tipped angel phased into the second floor bedroom where Blake sat in her bed, still in her nightgown. She was pressing her phone up against her ear with a pensive look on her face. Ruby could hear something on the other end. She couldn't quite make out what was being said, but judging by Blake's huff and eye-roll, she got an answering machine.

"Hey Weiss! It's Blake... Again. I-I don't even know if you're getting these but... Um... Just wanted to let you know that I've been sick for a couple days... In case you were wondering why I wasn't in school. Sooo..." Blake rambled into her phone. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Weiss... I wish you wouldn't push me away. I am still your friend, you know. I care about you. If you want to talk just um... Let me know... I should be in school tomorrow... Uh, Bye."

After that awkward message. Blake flopped on to her back, her hands dangling beside her. So Weiss was pushing her away. Not much of a surprise, but it was still good information to gather. Ruby prepared to leave, but heard a knock on the door.

"Sweetie? It's me?" A feminine voice said, muffled behind the door. Creaking it open, Ruby saw someone who she supposed was Blake's mother. She had the same amber eyes and ebony hair, but hers was cut short (it only reached a little past her jawline). "How are you feeling, hun?"

The girl in question slowly lifted herself back to a seated position to better answer her.

"I'm alright. I think I can go back to school."

"You sound down, I thought you liked school." Her mom said, venturing further into the room.

"I do. It's just... Weiss."

"Ah, still acting weird, huh?"

"Yeah, she is." Blake said, scooting over to allow her mom to sit on the bed with her. The older woman took that opportunity and did just that. "I don't get it! I tried to help and she just... Pushed me away."

"Hmm. Sometimes that happens, sweetheart."

"But we've been friends for years." Blake stressed. Her voice dropped to a hush. "Why wouldn't she trust me?"

Blake's mom took a moment to ponder this. Ruby assumed she was trying to figure out how to phrase what she was going to say.

"You've known Weiss for a while, wouldn't you say she was stubborn?"

"Yeah."

"And a perfectionist?"

"Oh god, yes!"

"And wouldn't you say that she tries to take too much on herself?"

"Yes."

"Then don't you think that's what she's doing now?"

"I... Guess so." Blake answered. "But what am I supposed to do?"

"Give her time, hun. Let her know you're there for her, but let her come to you."

She had a point, from the information Ruby had gathered, Weiss preferred to do things in her own time. But maybe that wasn't what she needed. This time she needed someone to reach out, to do what she wouldn't. Because with the state of the heiress now, that was the only way she would get the support she needed.

"Yeah, guess you're right."

"Let things happen naturally, sweetheart. It will all be ok." She told her daughter, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Ruby slipped out of the residence, now confident she had all the information she needed.

Oh things would happen 'naturally' alright. Ruby would make sure of it.

Besides the fact that she genuinely enjoyed shop class, there was another reason Ruby took it.

XxXxX

Blake pushed a block of wood through the table saw the shop class had available. She pressed the wood cautiously and slowly, minding her fingers. They told her that the saw blade would stop if her hand got too close to the edge, but she didn't trust that.

Better to be safe than fingerless.

When the slab had past through, she picked up the piece she needed and tossed the other bit into the discard bin so someone else could use it. Blake blew on the cut piece, making sure that all the excess shavings were off.

Yes, this was a good piece. It would be perfect for her project. The assignment they had been given was to create a garden decoration. Immediately, she thought of her and her mother's favorite animal, a cat. It was going to be a simple one, but the raven-haired girl had planned on making a small silhouette of a cat.

She had also considered making a second one. A rabbit for Weiss. She remembered how much she talked about wanting a rabbit when she was younger, how she couldn't because her father didn't want the house to smell. Maybe a rabbit figure would make her happy.

Though, not much really kept her happy these days. Blake wished she would let her help but... she just kept to herself these days.

And she pushed Blake away.

"Well done, Miss Rose!" The professor said, addressing the girl with red hair. "You certainly know how to handle a dremel!"

Right, there was a new student in her class. Ruby Rose. She seemed nice, cute, a bit young. The rumor was that she skipped four grades, but Blake highly doubted it. Two at most.

"Thank you, sir!" She chirped gleefully, clutching her piece of wood close to her body. It looked like a rounded cone. Walking over to the scrap pile, she picked up a couple more solid blocks of wood and some sand paper. However, as she was grabbing her pieces, she noticed Blake watching her.

"Hello!" The new girl said with a bright grin. "I-I don't think I've seen you before."

"Yeah. I've been sick for the past couple days." Blake informed her. "You're the new girl, right?"

"Thaaat's what they call me." She sang. "Well, that and Ruby. I'm Ruby. Ruby Rose. Nice to meetcha!"

She extended her hand and Blake readily accepted it. Blake was normally more reserved, but something about Ruby set her at ease. She couldn't quite place why, but she didn't question it too much.

"Blake."

"Sooo Blake! What are you making?"

"Oh," Blake said, picking up her slab of wood and inspecting it. "It's gonna be a cat silhouette with a base, so it can stand."

"Oooooh, that sounds cool!" Ruby said, bouncing a bit from genuine excitement. "Are you gonna drill the eyes?"

"I hadn't thought about that, but that would look cool." Blake said, envisioning an oblong cat eye near the corner where she placed to make the head. It would look good. "Thank you."

"No problem!"

"What are you making?" Blake asked, pointing to the cone-like piece of wood in her hand. The younger girl raised it up and Blake swore she saw a twinkle in her silver eyes.

"I'm making a rose!"

"A rose?"

It certainly didn't look like a rose.

"Yeah! I'm gonna make pieces that fit inside each other like the petals, drill a hole in the middle and suspend them from a string. That way they can spin around in the wind, but it will still look like a rose."

"But, it's just a cone." She observed. "Where are the petals?"

"I still gotta whittle and sand it for the details, but it will get there!" The new girl explained. "Just wait. All beautiful pieces of art take time and patience."

"That makes sense. I can't wait to see the finished product."

"Me too." Ruby said, beaming at the girl. "Say, I don't really know too many people in this class. Can I work next to you?"

"Sure." Replied the raven-haired girl, smiling warmly.

XxXxX

Weiss didn't think it was possible, but Ruby always managed to eat less than her every lunch. She simply picked at the food, hardly enough to consist of a meal. When she did ask her the reason, Ruby always told her she ate big breakfasts and snacked throughout the day.

Not that Weiss cared too much, but it would look bad if the new girl passed out on her watch. People were already whispering about her, she couldn't imagine what would happen if such an event occurred. Headmaster Ironwood would be so cross, maybe even expel her. Her father would hear about it and he... Would not be kind.

Not that he ever was.

"Weiss? Are you alright?" Ruby's voice called, breaking her out of her spiraling thoughts.

"I'm fine." She responded, making sure to keep her voice even and calm.

"You sure? You were breathing kind of heavy."

Was she? She hadn't noticed. Oh no. How many times had she visibly shown her fear. Her panic. That was not good at all. She was not supposed to panic. She had to be strong like her predecessors. She was a Schnee, Schnees did not panic.

Even if Weiss wanted to, Weiss would always be attached to Schnee. An unbreakable bond. One that she so dearly wished she could just snap.

Just snap.

Snap.

Snap.

"Huh?" Weiss said.

"You were doing it again. Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes."

"Weiss."

"I'm fine. Shouldn't you just finish eating your food?"

"I'm not too hungry." Ruby said with her melodic giggle. The heiress eased at that. The panic from before was forgotten for a split second, replaced with a serene melody that electrified every inch of her body.

"Perhaps that's why you don't do well in math. You can't really think much on an empty stomach."

"Heeey, I told you I-"

"Eat big breakfasts, Yes I am aware." Weiss said and found that she was actually smiling. Genuinely, warmly smiling.

It didn't last.

Soon, Ruby's gaze was caught by something behind Weiss. A smile sprung on her face and she waved wildly in the distance. The redhead must have made some friends in her other class, the one class they did not share.

Good, she could finally leave her alone. She could finally stop pestering her at lunch, making sure she felt alright, asking how her day was. How irritating. Weiss could just go back to how it was before. She could be alone with her thoughts and her notes. Just Weiss. Weiss Schnee.

Schnee.

Regardless of how little she cared about the girl, she felt obligated to see just who her new friend was. If she made the wrong friends and became some sort of degenerate, Weiss knew she would be to blame. At the same time, she had to see if this person would be up to the task of being Ruby Rose's friend.

They had to be prepared. If she could, she would warm them before they got in too deep. She would warn them about her silver eyes and how it was all a trap. Don't look in her eyes unless you want heart palpitations. She would warn them about her smile. If you looked at it too long, it would burn into your brain and no smile would ever compare.

And finally her laugh. Weiss would specifically tell them to take heed of her laugh. It warps the strongest of minds, reducing them to a puddle.

Ruby's new friend must know what they were getting into.

The red-head waved her hand, directing the person to come over. She didn't really feel like talking to a new person, but if it meant getting Ruby a new friend, she would.

And getting Ruby away from her. That was obviously the more important part.

"Hey Blake! Come sit with us!" Ruby called.

Hold up. Blake? As in Weiss' Blake? Well... Not hers, but the one she... Knew.

Sure enough, Weiss turned her head to see Blake. They locked eyes and she could see the hurt expression on the girl's face. Regardless, she walked around and sat at the other end of the table next to Ruby. Her jaw was squared and she was purposefully looking anywhere but at Weiss.

"Hello." Blake softly greeted.

"Weiss! This is Blake, I met her in my shop class. She's making a cool cat thing for her garden project."

"Not as cool as your rose. The petals are really starting to come in. Nice whittling."

"Eheh, thanks." Ruby giggled, scratching the back of her head. "I just like roses, no idea why."

"Oh I have no idea either, Ruby Rose."

The two girls started laughing and Weiss felt a pinprick of jealousy. She shouldn't be though, this is what she wanted. More than what she wanted, in fact. It solved two problems in one. Now she didn't have to worry about either girl finding new friends, they seemed quite content with each other.

And Weiss could be alone.

Weiss would be alone.

Did you expect her to wait for you? A voice from within her taunted. Isn't this what you wanted? You wanted to be alone.

She did. She wanted to be alone.

Did you really think that laughter was for you? The voice continued. Did you think you were worth their time?

No, she didn't.

Ruby is only here because you tutor her and you are the only person she knows. But now she knows Blake, and Blake's only here for Ruby. You are superfluous.

She knew that.

"Anyways, Blake this is-"

"I know her." Blake said in a monotone voice.

"Oh! You do?" Ruby said, turning her head to Weiss.

"Yes, we are..." Weiss said, trying to think of the right word to say. If she said friend, Ruby would never let it go. But if she didn't say friend, Blake would be-

"Acquaintances." Came a cold response from the raven-haired girl, sipping her milk. "Isn't that right?"

"I... Suppose."

"Because friends don't push friends away, saying that they need space, only to make new friends to replace them."

"Wait, Ruby is-"

"NO." Blake said, slamming her carton on her tray. "No, Weiss. You can't just... Do that. People kept telling me to give you time, to give you space. Well look what you've done with that time and space."

"Blake."

The girl picked up her now empty tray and stood up.

"I called, I tried!" Blake said, her voice cracking at the end. Then in a hushed and raw tone, she whispered. "Nice to see I meant so little to you."

No words could come out of Weiss' mouth. None came out as she left either. She couldn't call out to the girl as she tossed her trash away and walked out of the lunch room.

She felt numb. She had done all this to punish herself, but now someone else had gotten hurt instead. She was fine with pushing Blake away when it was her decision, but now it was out of her hands. Weiss pushed her first, but in the end, Blake was the one who walked out.

All of her own volition.

"Weiss?" Ruby asked, her voice soft and laden with worry. And for the third time that lunch period, she asked the same question. "Are you alright?"

And Weiss gave the same answer.

"I'm fine." She said, low and cold. "I need to use the restroom, I'll see you in class."

"A-alright Weiss. If you say so."

The heiress stiffly rose up and threw her trash out. As she walked to the exit, she still felt Ruby's gaze on her. It made her want to break, to crack. But she didn't. She waited. She waited until she was in the bathroom, in the last stall. She stood in the stall and everything came tumbling down.

She was wailing, shuddering as each cry sent waves of crushing sadness through her whole being. It enveloped her like an old friend, squeezing out all of her unshed tears. The ones she was too afraid to show to anyone, even herself. She was an utter mess and for a brief moment, she didn't care who knew.

For a moment, she wasn't a Schnee.

She was Weiss, a girl who just lost a friend for good.

And it was all her fault.